NFL survivor · Private crews

Last team standing

One pick a week · No repeats · Straight up

NFL survivor 2026 on Sportsball is a private last-team-standing league for your crew—not a public global challenge. Each week you pick one NFL team to win straight up. You cannot reuse a team later in the season. A loss, a tie, or a missed pick eliminates you. Last player standing wins—or remaining players split if more than one survives Week 18. Default: the whole sheet locks at first kickoff; hosts can choose per-game lock or Sunday 1pm ET. You can start after Week 1: launch the next full week that has not started, or leftover unstarted games if a week is already underway. There are no preseason slates. Players need a Sportsball account. Host pricing: $9.99 to unlock the season for the host; players join free. Play in the browser or native mobile app. No banner ads. Bragging rights—not a sportsbook. Sportsball does not take wagers or hold a player pot.

Create survivor league Commissioner guide

Updated September 2026

How it works

Pick exactly one NFL team each week. That team is burned for the rest of the season. A loss, a tie, or a missed pick eliminates you. The last remaining player wins.

Play stays on your season page — not a separate survivor app. The pick sheet still shows the week's matchups; you choose one side, and used teams are disabled. Alive and Out replace jelly-bean season rank.

Run your league

Same invite, manage, and weekly slate flow as NFL pick'em — survivor rules instead of jelly beans.

Private crew only

No public survivor challenge. Invite your group with one link. Players need a Sportsball account.

Lock when you want

Default: everyone is final at first kickoff. Hosts can use per-game lock or Sunday 1pm ET.

Start mid-season

Launch the next full week, or leftover unstarted games if a week is already underway. No preseason.

Not pick'em

One decision a week. Used teams stay burned. The board is Alive / Out, not jelly beans.

Pricing

Players always join free. Hosts pay to run the private season ($9.99 to unlock the season for the host; players join free). Unlock the season from manage — survivor does not sell a single-week SKU.

Prefer weekly jelly-bean standings instead? NFL pick em league overview.

FAQ

What is an NFL survivor pool?

Each week you pick one NFL team to win straight up. You cannot reuse a team later in the season. If your team loses, ties, or you miss the pick, you are out. Last player standing wins — or splits if more than one survives Week 18.

Is this a public Sportsball challenge?

No. NFL survivor on Sportsball is private crews only. There is no global survivor challenge. Create a league, invite your group, and play on the same season lobby you already use for pick'em.

Can I start after Week 1 has begun?

Yes. Launch the next full week that has not started, or — if a week is already underway — launch the leftover unstarted games. There are no preseason practice slates.

When do picks lock?

Default: the whole sheet locks at first kickoff so everyone is on the same clock. Hosts can also choose per-game lock or Sunday 1pm ET if they want leftover teams still available after Thursday night.

Do players need an account?

Yes. Private leagues require a Sportsball account. Signed-in roster members may appear to the host with email for league operations.

How is survivor different from NFL pick em?

Pick em scores every game every week with jelly beans and season rank. Survivor is last team standing: one pick, burned franchises, and an Alive / Out list. Same invite and weekly launch flow; different stakes.

Is Sportsball free to use?

Playing is always free. Creating a private NFL survivor league costs $9.99 to unlock the season for the host. Hosts unlock the season rather than buying a single week. No entry fees and no in-game ads.